Serialized Novel (35) The Drifter

We were silent the entire time as we rode in Eva's car back to the camp. Even though the director was gone and I should have been able to go to Eva without any hesitation, I had the feeling that I would never be able to see her again.

We have arrived. Please return to Naomi. For the time being, do not leave Naomi's side.

Why?

Why? Because Naomi is your wife, that's why.

But Eva, Maria is between us. Would it be unnatural for me to go see Maria?

No, it's not about whether it's natural or unnatural; isn't it important to consider Naomi's feelings?

Eva, you previously said that Maria was more important than anything else, didn't you?

Yes, I did. There is no contradiction between you living with Naomi and Maria's happiness. After all, if Job doesn't grow up properly, Maria will remain a virgin for the rest of her life. Wouldn't that be unhappy?

Job and Maria are still infants. We have no right to decide their future for them.

That is true. We have no right to decide the future of Maria and Job. However, this is not fate, it is destiny. No matter what we say, Job and Maria must be united.

There is no other choice for the prosperity of this town. However, isn't the prosperity of the town a different dimension from the personal happiness of Job and Maria?

Do you think Job and Maria can be happy even if this town disappears? Is it their happiness to live in a town with no future?

Even if this town were to disappear, if Job and Maria are happy, then as a father, that is enough for me.

Are you Maria's father?

Am I not?

Biologically, Maria was born between you and me, so you are undoubtedly her father. But haven't you never done anything fatherly until now? Your wife is Naomi, and your only official child is Job.

Until now, the director was there, so I stayed with Naomi and Job. But from now on, I should be free to see you and Naomi, shouldn't I?

No one but us knows that the director is gone. If you visit me frequently while the director's successor has not been decided, Naomi will sooner or later realize that the director is gone. If that happens, rumors that the director is gone might spread through the town.

Then we must hurry and decide on a successor.

I believe there is no one other than you who can be the director's successor. But you are adamantly refusing.

"Don't you think Eva should be the director's successor? After all, she is the first 'Drifter'."

"That is your argument. Will you listen to mine as well?"

"Of course, let's hear it."

"Let's review once more. I am indeed the 'first Drifter.' However, it was the director who ruled this town at that time. And it was a future version of you who created that director. Furthermore, before becoming an AI, the director was your father, who had a living body. That father is currently inactive. Therefore, it is inevitable that you, the director's own son, should become the ruler of this town."

"When it comes down to it, the cause is that my future self created the director, who is an AI."

"For now, I'm heading to Naomi's. If you'll excuse me."

"Then, until we meet again soon."

"Yes, let's meet again sometime."

Having said that, Eva got into the car without even looking back at me. There was no smile on her face at all.

...to be continued

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